Modulator



April 19, 1960 H. H. SMR Y 2,933,691

MODULATOR Filed Dec. 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 voi/Imaam? AM@ 05mm- F/rff? UUUUUUUUUUUUUU c VII-Hmmm i I IUUUULJ- v INVENTOIL A Z'TORIYEXS United States Patent MODULATDR Henryl H. Stair, Monrovia, Calif., assignor to Bell & 'j

Howell Company, Chicago, Illinois Ill., Va corporation of This invention relates to a device for measuring small amplitude signal levels of low frequency and more particularly to a modulator circuit which provides high 'common mode rejection and low common mode conversion. v

It is often desirable to measure small changes of low frequency electrical signals from bridge networks Yand transducers employed to indicate various parameters such as pressure, temperature and the like. The rate at which such signals change in amplitude is so low that for all practical purposes they may be considered D.C. signals. if such low amplitude signals are applied directly to an amplifier having one or more stages, the signals may be sufficiently amplified to operate an indicator device. Because amplifying devices are made up of current-carrying electrical components, they tend to heat up and thereby change their operatingv characteristics. In addition, the electrical characteristics of electrical components vchange with age. These and other factors cause the output of an amplifier to vary within certain limits when a constant signal level is applied to the input. This variation in the output of an amplifier with a constant input is referred to as drift. Where D.C. levels on the order of several microvolts are applied to the input of an amplier, drift of the amplifier alone may cause the output to vary in amplitude by an amount which may exceed the several microvolt input. Por this reason it is often desirable to avoid connecting a source of low frequency, low amplitude signals directly to an amplifier. f

It is customary, therefore, in many instances to supply low level D.C. signals to a network which includes a series arrangement of a modulator device, an amplifier with one or more stages of amplification and a demodulator. In the process the D.C. signals of low amplitude applied to the input of the modulator are converted to A.C. signals. These A.C. signals are next amplified and then demodulated to provide an output signal which is an amplified replica of the low level D.C. signals applied to the input of the modulator. The drift problem in the amplifier is minimized because variations in the output of the amplifier resulting from drift are more in the nature of D.C. signals, and only A.C. signals from the amplifier are coupled to the demodulator.

Where a small difference between two D.C. signals is to be measured, the dierence amplitude being on the order of several microvolts, a slight unbalance in the impedance of lead wires interconnecting the bridge or transducer to a modulator causes an error to exist in the difference signal. In addition to this error, noise signals may be induced in the lead wires or other part of the input circuit. If a noise signal induced in one lead wire of the input circuit is not the same in amplitude as the noise signal induced in the other lead wire of the input circuit, an unbalance results. Restated in the alternative, any undesired or error signals present in both lines of a differential input present a net error equal to their difference. Accordingly, the net difference of the undesired signals gives rise to an error signal usually so small it may be disregarded.

It is sometimes desirable to measure a small dierence between two electrical signals where each of the electrical signals may be relatively large in amplitude when compared to the difference. The difference between the two signals may be designated a normal mode signal while any signal level common to both signals under investigation may be termed a common mode signal. The output signal of an ideal measuring device would reflect only an amplied version of the normal mode signal at the input. In practice, however, components of the common mode signal at the input are reflected at the output. To the extent that common mode signals are reflected in the output, an error results. Hence it is a feature of the present invention to minimize at the output the e`ect of common mode signalsv applied to the input of a difference measuring device.

' According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a modulator is provided which includes a pair of resistors coupled between a source of low frequency, low amplitude signals and a first pair of terminals. A second pair of terminals are provided with a high resistance connected therebetween. A condenser is connected to a pair of movable blades which are driven back and forth between the rst and second pairs of terminals. Both switches are driven in synchronism by any suitable source such as a relay type coil energized by an A.C. signal, usually referred to as a carrier signal. Because the switch blades are driven at a carrier frequency the low amplitude, low frequency signals applied to the first pair of terminals are converted to pulses at the second pair of terminals having a repetition rate determined by the carrier frequency and an amplitude determined by the amplitude of the low frequency signals. The switch blades are preferably of a type which break contact completely with the first pair of terminals before making contact with the second pair of terminals. This insures complete isolation of the input circuit coupled to the first pair of terminals and the output circuit coupled to the second pair of terminals. Accordingly, the transfer of common mode signals from the first pair of terminals to the second pair of terminals is reduced and common mode conversion is minimized. The output of the modulator presents an A.C. signal which is coupled to an amplifier including one or more stages. After suitable amplification the A.C. signal is applied to a phase splitting network which provides both a positive and a negative replica of the A.C. signal to a demodulator network which in turn converts these signals back to a D C. signal. This signal is preferably ltered to eliminate carrier frequency signal components and thereby provide an output signal which is an amplified replica of the low amplitude D C. signals under investigation.

As the switch blades travel for a short instant of time between the first pair of terminals and the second pair of terminals stray capacities from the condenser, its leads and the blades to Vground are charged up by components of the common mode signal from the bridge network. The common mode signal supplied by the stray capacities to the input of the amplifier represents an error component.V The ratio of the normal mode output signal from the filter network over the ,common mode signal applied to the second pair of terminals times the amplification factor of the amplifier may be defined as the common mode conversion. The amount of common mode signal supplied to the second pair of terminals and appearing at the output of a lter network as though it were part of the normal mode or differential signal represents an error which should be minimized.

It is a feature of this invention to common .assoc-iated; the "other fswitch` arms toground to .terminal before -the -high "voltage end of the .condenser .-terminals. V`from'theiirstepair .of.. terminals -to the-second pairpf 4terminals is.' decreased, and the elects or common mode .following speciticationA and drawings to .the present. invention;

plies Aa signal `smal1 dilerencey inamplitude of .maining components of constant of the Yresistors .modeconversionby grounding one. of the second terminals and arranging the switch arms so that the one associated with the grounded terminalcloses before the switch arm terminal closes. This permits the condenser,`v its fleads and the discharge .through theggrounded the stray capacities from is fconnectedto the-other terminal of thevsecondpair'of Thus the transfer of common mode signals .conversion are minimized. i v These andother features yof this inventionmay be more fully appreciated when considered 'in the light vofthe in which: i Fig. l illustrates the system aspects of the-present invention;

Fig..=2illustrates in, greater detail a system according .Fig .-3 illustrates various waveforms throughout the circuit in Fig. 2;

..Fig. 4r-illustrates .ajmodilication of at-.dilerent points the modulator 'in Re'feri'ingftirst-to Pig.. l, a'system illustrating the-pres- `ent invention is shownvpartlyin block form.fand .partly ,in electricaldiagram form. V'Abrdge network 10supythrough conductors-12 and 14, which may bela very long lineon the order of several hundred'feet or more tothe inputcffa modulator 16. Here the low level D.C.'signal s converted into pulses having aV pulse .repetition'rate determined by.a source of carrier signals 18. The amplitude .of the pulses is determined by the the D.C. signals on the lines ,i12 and 14. "The output of the modulator 16 is supplied to an amplifier which in turn supplies a de'- modulator 22. The vdemodulator 22 is operated at the carrier frequencyraud the output is substantially free of `the carrier signal. Alter. Vdevice 24 removes any re- Vthecarrier signal and provides atlitsv output an amplified replicaof the [difference of the two'DfC. Vsignals-apriliedto the input of the modulator 16. Reference is madeto Y ,tion of one specific circuit arrangement according to the "present .invention which may Fig. 2.for a detailed descripbe employed'for the devices shown in blockforminFig. l. A pair of input ,signals from Ythe bridge 10 in Fig'. 1 are applied to resistors v30 and 32 `of the modulatorjin'Fig. 2. A chopper having `'a pair of "signal applied to a transformer secondary winding 38. A condenser 40 is connected between the two chopper arms -'='34Yand 36. When `the switch arms 34 and 36engage -a-irst pair of contacts 42 -denser is charged to a voltage determined by the dif- .ference in voltageof the two -inputsignals When the v'carrier signalreverses polarity the switch arms 34.and 'fengage a secondpairof contacts 44 and y46-respectively. YThe voltage previously established on'the condenser 40 switch arms 34 and L36 is operated by'a carrier and 43 respectively the yconis then applied across a resistor 48.' The charging time terminals 42, V43. The discharge time constant of the -.condenser40 and the-resistor 48 is large with respectto `the time that the switch blades 34, 36 engage terminals 44,- 46.k ,This insures that the condenser 46 is'not .dis-

:cha'rged very much into the resistor 48, and the waveform .of the voltage acros's-the-condenser 49 is preserved. The

v'switcah .arm 36 `makes contact with Vthe terminal .46 Aa 'shortintervalof time before the switchV arm 34 makes :contact with the terminal 44. This servesto discharge .inherent capacities between the switch arms 34, the condenser 40 and the switch .arm 36 and ground. Since such inherent capacities .include components'of .common V.mode signals, common mode conversion is minimized.

/iThus'the'demodulator serves to provide a single-ended 39, 3,2 and the condenser 40 is V -suilicently short that the condenser 4h charges up to the .dierence between the two voltages applied to the resistors 30 and 32 when the switch blades 34, 36 engage i ,provides a low impedance to A.C. signals.

A.outputin responseto adfferential input, the output signal having substantially on common mode signal components.

The output of the modulator is applied to the rst amplier. The resistor 4S and a resistor V50 are connected in series between ground and a negative source of potential designated B`. The contact 46 isgrounded and the contact 44is'con'nected`to the base electrode 52 of the `transistor 54. .Therefore itis seen that the signal established on the resistor 48. from the condenser 40..is applied as Vaninput to 'the base .electrode52 o-'theitra'n- Y`'sistor'54. 'A collector electrode'56 is connected through a bias resistor 58 to the negative source of potential. An emitterxbias. network including a'resistor 60 `and a condenser -62 is connectedbetween an emitter 64 and ground. Any D.C. signalsapplied'tov thebase electrode undergo very low amplication because the resistance of the resistor 60 is high. On the other hand the A.C. impedance 'of' the condenser 62 is low, thereby. providing high A.C. .-gain. Y Accordingly the output signal :from the `collector -56frepresents a-large=amplicationof the A.C. signals .applied .to the base electrode 52, and the components of D.C. signal applied tothe base electrode 52 undergo very.littlegain,j^providingveryv little D.C. signal 'output i at the collector 56.

.Thegoutputof the rst -amplier is vcoupled to a second amplifier. Thefoutput'signalfromthe collector 56 of ntheiirst amplier. is supplied to the base electrode 70 of transistor 72 in the second amplifier. V.Here again the emitter bias-network including a resistor 74 and a condenser 76 are Vconnected between an emitter electrode 78 and ground. A.C. signalson the collector electrode 80 are greatlyamplied whereas D.C. signals are almost nonexistent. This is because the resistor 74 presents a Vhigh impedance to D.C. signals and the condenser 76 Y Y The collector 80` is coupledthrough a bias resistor 82 to the-negative .source of potential. v

.The output of the .secondamplier isY coupled to 'a .phase splitter. Output .signals taken from the collector 80 yin the second amplierare coupled to the base electrode`9 of the transistor92 in the phase splitter. Since DLC; signals have been substantially eliminated the signal waves appearing on collector electrode 94 andan emitter electrode 96 are amplified A.C. signals having opposite polari'ties. The emitter electrode .96 is connected `to ground through a resistor 98`and the collector electrode is coupled to the negative source of potential through a resistor 10D. The signals of opposite polarity taken from the collector 94 and the emitter 96 are cou-pledthrough respective condensers 102 and 104 to corresponding resistorsl and 108. This resistor-condenser arrangement serves as a coupling network to convey the output signals .from the phase splitter to the ringdemodulator. The

ring demodulator includes diodes through 113.

kA carriersignal vis'applied through a primary winding 120 to secondary'windings 122 and |124. Tneseccnclary winding 122 supplies the carrier signal to the drive wind- /ing V3S Vof the chopper previously described.- The secondary winding 124 supplies the carrier .signal tothe ring demodulator. As shown the `carrier is applied to the ring demodulator at the junction points of 'diodes Y 110, 113 and 111, 112. A center tap l1,26 of'a translformer 124`is coupled toa filter network including resistors 128,130 and-condensers 132, 134 connected vas shown. An output signal is taken from the terminals `136 and.13,8.

. :In order to show how lthe two signals applied to the YAinput of the device Vin Fig. ZaIetreatecl at various points throughout the circuit, reference ismade to Fig. 3. The

curve A in Fig. .3 represents the difference between two D.C..signallevels taken from the bridge 1i) in Fig. l. `The difference .signal is assumed to varyas asine wave,4 and although the diplerential signal is on the order .of :.severalmicrovolts, itis exaggerated in curve A for purposes offillustration.V

transformer primary The carrier signal applied to the winding in'Fig. Zis represented by the wave B in Fig. 3. The switch arms 34 and 36 in Fig. 2 may be connected to the terminals 42, 43 on positive cycles of the wave B in Fig. 3 and to the terminals 44 and 46 on negative cycles of the wave B in Fig. 3. The pulses supplied to the first ampliiier in Fig. 2 on the negative cycles of the carrier wave B in Fig. 3 are illustrated by the pulses shown in Fig. 3C. The output signal from the collector 56 of the rst amplier in Fig. 2 is indicated in Fig. 3D. The output signal at the collector 80 of the second amplifier in Fig. 2 is indicated in Fig. 3E. It is recalled that the irst and second amplifiers suppress D.C.V signals and pass A.C. signals. The output signal at the collector 94 of the phase splitter in Fig. 2 is an ampliiied version of the wave indicated in Fig. 3D. The output signal at the emitter electrode 96 of the phase splitter in Fig. 2 is an amplified version of the wave indicated in Fig. 3E. The amplilied version of the waves indicated at Figs. 3D and 3E are coupled through respective condensers 102 and 104 to the ring demodulator in Fig. 2. On positive cycles of the carrier signal the diodes 112 and 113 conduct and pass the positive portions of the pulses from the emitter electrode 96 of the phase splitter in Fig. 2 to the lter circuit. On negative cycles of the carrier wave the diodes 110 and 1121 conduct and pass the positive portions of the wave from the collector electrode 94 of the phase splitter in Fig. 2 to the lter. It is readily seen by comparing the waves of Figs. 3D and 3E that if the positive portions of the pulses indicated are combined, an amplied wave substantially as indicated in Fig. 3F results. The signal supplied to the filter network in Fig. 2 is substantially as indicated in Fig. 3F. The output of the filter network in Fig. 2 is substantially as indicated in Fig. 3G. This signal is an amplified replica of the input signal indicated in Fig. 3A.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a modification of the modulator in Fig. 2 is shown. The parts of the modulator in Fig. 4 are labeled with the same numbers as corresponding parts in Fig. 2. The circuit in Fig. 4 includes an added pair of condensers 150 and 15,2 connected between opposite terminals of the condenser V150 is connected in parallel with an inherent capacity that exists between the condenser 40, the switch arm 34 and ground. Also the condenser 152 is connected in parallel with an inherent capacity that exists between the condenser 40, the switch arm 36 and ground. The condensers 150 and 152 are much smaller than the condenser 40, but they are much larger than the inherent capacities in parallel therewith. The condensers 150 and 152 serve to minimize the transfer of common mode signals normally transferred through the inherent capacities to the terminals 44 and 46, and the condensers are balanced for minimum conversion. In other words, the condensers 150 and 152 serve to more completely isolate the terminals 42, 43

from the terminals l441, 46. In operation, the switch arm 36 makes contact with the terminal 46 slightly before the switch arm 34 makes contact with the terminal 44. During this brief interval that the switch arm 36 engages the terminal 44 before the switch arm 34 engages the terminal 44, signals on the condensers and 152 are discharged to ground. It is readily seen that the condenser 152 is grounded on both terminals by this operation. The condenser i150 is also effectively grounded by this operation because the capacitive reactance of the condenser 40 is very low for the signal being dissipated to ground. The signals on the condensers 1'50 and 152 are discharged in a short interval of time. It is to this signal of short duration from the condenser 150 that the condenser -40 provides a low impedance. Accordingly it is seen that the condensers 150 and 152 Serve to reduce the effect of inherent capacities in parallel therewith, thereby minimizing common mode conversion.

What is claimed is:

1. A chopper circuit for modulating a low level D.C. input signal from a oating source, comprising chopper means including a pair of switch arms, a pair of contacts associated with each switch arm, and means for simultaneously moving each of the switch arms between the pair of associated contacts at a modulating rate, a pair of input terminals acrosswhich the input signal is applied, rst and second resistors respectively connecting the input terminals to contacts associated with the two switch arms, a third resistor connected between the remaining contacts associated with the two switch arms, one end of the third resistor and associated contact being grounded, and a condenser connected between the two switch arms, the contact connected to the grounded end of the third resistor being arranged to engage the associated switch arm before the contact connected to the other end of the third resistor engages the other switch arm, whereby the condenser is connected to the grounded end of the third resistor before it is connected to the ungrounded end `of the third resistor. g

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a second condenser is connected between one terminal of said condenser and ground and a third condenser is connected between the opposite terminal of said condenser and ground.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS 2,752,491 Ringoen June 26. 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 536,292 Great Britain May 9, 1941 527,042 Canada June 26, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2Y933,`691 April 19, 1960 Henry H. Stair It is hereby? certified that error appears n 'bhe -prnbed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 57, after "terminals" insert a comma; column 41z line 2, for "on" read no Signed and sealed this 4th day of October 1960.

( SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLNE Attesting Ofcer ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents 

